Nolan's speech teacher had a birthday and he wanted to make her some cookies.  He wanted to make the cookies all on his own and I let him!  I just told him what to do and let him do it all.  He did a great job and was excited to take her the cookies.  He told me that she loved them!

It has still been very warm here.  I picked Nolan up from football practice and he was so hot and sweaty.  I got there a little early and they were running up and down the hill to finish off practice.  It looked like a hard practice!

The boys were dressed and ready for school and I saw they were kind of matching.  I had to snap a picture of them looking so handsome.  Nolan really wanted tall Nike socks.  The no name ones from Walmart were not good enough for him.  He used some of his own money to buys some Nike socks from Dicks.  He loves his new socks and loves to wear them.   

Lucy got asked to homecoming by her friend Taylor Conran.  They were born days apart while in our BYU ward.  The Conran's lived here in St. Louis for the past few years.  Over the summer Lucy and Taylor were at FSY at Mizzou during the same time.  They meet up there and had a fun time hanging out.  Right after FSY the Conran's moved to Arkansas.  Lucy and Taylor have been texting a lot since FSY.  Taylor invited Lucy to come down to Arkansas to go to homecoming with him.  She is looking forward to going down to attend the dance and spend time with him.    

Garrett was the September Library Challenge winner.  He completed all the things, and his name was drawn.  He got a candy and a soda.  He loves the library, so I wasn't surprised to hear he won this. 

Homecoming Dance

Both Lucy and Garrett attended the homecoming dance at the school.  Neither of them had dates but had fun going with friends.  Lucy took pictures at Quail Ridge with some friends.  They went to dinner at Olive Garden and then Lucy came by the house to pick up Garrett.  Garrett meet up with his friends at the dance.  I told him he didn't have to stay long and when he was done, I would come pick him up.  I think it was hard for him to not be included in a group like Lucy was.  It would have been fun for him to take pictures and dinner with some friends and then all go to the dance together.  I was glad that he was able to meet up with them at the dance.  He stayed for most of the dance and then texted me when his friends all left.  I picked him up and he said it was too loud in there.  He told me that his watch alerted him that his environment was too loud.  Lucy went to a friend's house to hang out after the dance.  I am glad they both went and were able to have fun.  I wish someone would have asked Lucy to the dance.  I know it would mean so much to her to have a date to the dance.  We had to nudge Garrett a little to go but I think he is glad he did.  I hope next year he can be included in a group with his friends.    

Powder Puff

Wednesday evening Lucy was able to participate in the powder puff football game.  It was such a fun evening watching her play.  The Junior girls played against the senior girls.  Lucy played center position and would toss the ball to the quarterback.  It was flag football and Lucy pulled the flag off the girl running with the ball at the end of the game.  That play tied the game and went into a kicking competition to decide the winner.  The seniors won the goal kicks at the end and won.  The announcer was entertaining and overall, it was a fun evening.  

Friday night at the homecoming football game it was Jr. Eagles night.  Nolan was so excited to help welcome the team onto the field.  He loves going to the games and being able to be involved was fun for him.  It was fun to celebrate homecoming this week and all the festivities that involved.  I remember what a fun time that was in high school.  It is fun now to watch my kids experience it.    

Garrett came home from school one day and said he was so hungry.  He proceeded to eat and eat and eat.  He then ate a big dinner with us not long after.  I am amazed at how much he eats.  He said he was hungry all day long.  I am glad the boys aren't closer in age.  They would drain my bank account trying to keep food in the house. 

They came and dug the holed for the deck piers.  Jack was very curious to check them out that evening.  I am glad to see small progress happening.  We are looking forward to enjoying our backyard again.  

I got together with some of my family to spend a little time with Courtney and Jesse before they go back to Utah.  We meet and went for a walk together.  The weather has been so pleasant, and it was nice to spend some time with them. 

Nolan had his first football game.  He was so excited to play.  He had a lot of fun and played great.  He had two really good blocks.  One was a big game changer and kept the other team from scoring.  

Lucy was able to return to playing basketball.  She is playing club ball this off season.  They had their first game Saturday evening.  Her team is mostly made up of girls from her school.  She played good and had a three point shot.  

Garrett was making pancakes Sunday morning and looked so grown up!  Its crazy how fast he is growing these days.   

It was a busy weekend.  JJ was on a conference call all weekend with OEP.  We missed him at church and spending time with him this weekend.  Sunday evening, we went over to the park and did the corn maze as a family. Nolan was excited to see his was dressed like JJ.  They were twinning. 

 

Labor Day and Mom's Birthday

We wanted to do something fun to celebrate mom's birthday.  Last year we got together and went boating at Lake Springfield and that was a lot of fun.  The only thing we wished we had was a day beach for the kids to play at.  We decided to try the lake in Litchfield Illinois.  They have an awesome day beach there.  They have inflatables in the water, a platform with rock walls, a slide and a diving board and fun things to do on the beach.  Lauren and Braden went down one Saturday and checked it out for us.  They loved it and we were excited to plan a day there with everyone.  We were all in town except Kelsey.  Natalie and her family came in town and spent a few days in Nauvoo.  Courtney and Jesse were also in town and spent a few days in Nauvoo.  Natalie and Chad brought their jet ski down for us to use at the lake.  We pulled up just as the day beach was opening.  We noticed the water inflatables weren't in the water.  We asked about them and they told us they had already been taken down for the end of the season.  The diving/waterslide platform was also closed.  We were so bummed!  We got set up and saw the volleyball net was still up and they still had kayaks and paddleboards.  As we set up and started to play, they cut down the volleyball net and put away the kayaks and paddleboards.  We questioned them about the amenities, and they said it was the last day of the season and they were putting things away.  It was so disappointing.  We also found out jet skis were not allowed on the water since it was a holiday.  We were shocked!  This was not our day and we felt disappointed over and over again.  Lauren especially felt back because when she came down with her family her experience was completely different.  We tried to have a good attitude and make the most of our time together.  It was hard to not feel upset by the rules and lack of amenities.  We keep trying new things and trying to find a place where we can have fun.  We thought this was going to be it.  I am sure any other day this would have been everything we were hoping for.  Lauren put so much work and effort into the day and I know she took some responsibility, but it was completely out of her hands.  She bought two cookie cakes, and we enjoyed singing to mom and remembering her.  I know that mom loved when we were together.  I know she was happy to know we were getting together.  We tried to remember that was the most important part, being together and having fun.  We had a fun time floating on the innertubes and playing in the sand.  The kids handled the disappointment well and enjoyed being with their cousins.  It is hard to think this is mom's second heavenly birthday.  She wouldn't have enjoyed sitting in the sun and being in the heat, but she would have loved being together.  We all miss her so much and miss celebrating with her.